100,000 flee 'worsening oppression' as Russia tightens grip on Crimea

Russia'soccupation of Crimea has caused about 100,000 people to flee the territory - twice as many as had been thought - according to new figures compiled by a Ukrainian charity.

The number of fugitives has jumped in the last two months because of "worsening repression".

From the moment that Russian troops fanned out across Crimea and seized the region from Ukraine in March 2014, those who were unwilling to accept the Kremlin's rule began to leave. Most settled elsewhere in Ukraine, including the capital, Kiev.

New evidence suggests this exodus was significantly larger than had been thought. About 21,000 people from Crimea are officially registered in Ukraine as "internally displaced", but many more are known to be undocumented.

The total number of fugitives from Crimea was probably between 50,000 and 60,000, according to the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre, a Geneva-based group.

But Tamila Tasheva, the co-founder and coordinator of Crimea SOS, a Ukrainian charity, said the real figure was as high as 100,000. "There are more and more people leaving Crimea as the repression becomes worse," she said. "Our offices are full of requests and applications for help for people and their children."

That period does not include the first nine months of Russia's occupation, nor the renewed outflow that has occurred since April. Hence Ms Tasheva places the real total of fugitives at around 100,000.

As for why this is taking place, campaigners point to Russia's escalating campaign against dissent. Arrests and unexplained disappearances have become routine in Crimea. No-one is regarded with greater suspicion than the Tatar minority, a 230,000-strong community viewed as the original inhabitants of the territory.

President Vladimir Putin, who ordered the occupation of Crimea in 2014Credit:
AP

Alim, a 17-year-old Tatar, is one of the fugitives from Crimea. Along with his family, he left for the safety of Kiev a year ago. "It was uncomfortable being in Crimea - I was afraid to say something wrong," he explained. "I was studying in a Ukrainian school and they converted it into a Russian school with the Russian language."

Alim added: "I was afraid because I had pro-Ukrainian views. The Russian security forces were everywhere. If they hear you saying something wrong then, I don't know, there could be a bad reaction."

It was uncomfortable being in Crimea - I was afraid to say something wrongAlim, a 17-year-old Tatar

Alim, who did not wish his full name to be disclosed, said that he was afraid to return. "Most of the people I know moved here [to Kiev] after the annexation - not just Tatars but Ukrainians as well. I miss Crimea, but I'm not going to go back."

The evidence suggests that the pace of departures is quickening again. Last November, the Kiev office of Crimea SOS received only 14 requests for help from displaced people. The following month, December 2015, it recorded no requests at all.

But in April this year, by contrast, 183 people contacted the charity to ask for assistance. Another 97 did so in May. "There is an atmosphere of fear in Crimea - that's why citizens feel forced to leave," said Ms Tasheva.

Last year, Russia prevented the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) from sending a human rights assessment mission to Crimea. The group gathered evidence elsewhere in Ukraine and interviewed people remotely inside Crimea. They concluded that Russian rule had "dramatically impacted" on the "human rights and fundamental freedoms" of all residents of Crimea, particularly those "who were opposed to the annexation".

However, Russia points to Ukraine's own behaviour to explain any hardships. Last November, Ukraine's government cut off Crimea's electricity, leaving the region in darkness for over two weeks. Russia has since been able to guarantee Crimea's power supply.

But Ms Tasheva pointed out that Russia, as the occupying power, has legal responsibility for the welfare of the region's people. "Of course we might name Ukraine as responsible because they don't make life easier for the people of Crimea," she said. "But Russia is ultimately responsible because they are occupying the territory."